Local H.S. players highlight preseason watch lists for FSU, UF

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Demarcus Walker returns to the Seminole defensive front for his final collegiate season after an impressive junior year where he established career highs in tackles (58), tackles for loss (15.5), sacks (10.5), pass breakups (5) and forced fumbles (4). The Jacksonville, Fla., native registered his first career interception in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl against Houston and closed out the regular season with the first blocked kick of his career on a fourth quarter field goal attempt by Florida in Gainesville. His 10.5 sacks were the most for a Seminole defender since 2012 and tied for fifth in the ACC last season.

Senior linebacker Jarrad Davis, redshirt senior defensive back Marcus Maye and junior defensive back Jalen Tabor have been named to the 2016 Chuck Bednarik Award preseason watch list, the Maxwell Football Club announced Tuesday.

In 2015, Davis was named to Gridiron's Now All-SEC second team. He appeared in 14 games and starting 12, totaling the second-most tackles on the team with 98. Davis' 11 tackles for loss also ranked third for Florida.

Semifinalists for the Maxwell and Bednarik Awards will be announced October 31, with the three finalists announced November 21. The awards will be announced during the Home Depot College Football Awards Show on December 8.